Chapter 33
The next night, Cy took me to a restaurant called the Front Porch. It was a nice place, romantically lit, and the food was excellent. I recognized several of the other diners, of course, and they all nodded to Cy and smiled at me.
Cy’s speech at the community center combined with my efforts to restore his reputation seemed to have worked. My heart warmed to see how surprised and pleased Cy was when people stopped by our table to say hello.
It warmed even more when I spotted Amber and Wren holding hands at a table in the corner, too busy smiling at each other to notice we were in the same restaurant.
After we’d finished our entrees, Cy took my hand across the table, his expression serious. “I need to tell you that I’m in love with you,” he said. “And I want to find a way we can be together.”
A small candle flickered on our table and in the candlelight, he looked more handsome than ever. The clear beauty of his eyes dissolved both my bones and my senses, and the feel of his fingers set my heart skipping.
I nodded, my chest so full of warmth and hope I felt breathless with it. “I want that too.”
He gave me a relieved smile. “You’ll be going back to New York soon, and I don’t know if I can let myself get swallowed up in a big city again. But I’ve been looking at what kind of places are available outside of New York. Maybe in the Hudson Valley or the Catskill Mountains. If I sell my daddy’s house and get a place there, it’s not so far from the city that you couldn’t live with me. Or if you aren’t ready for that, you could join me for weekends.”
I blinked at him, considering the option. Picturing him in a cabin in the woods. “It’s beautiful in the Catskills,” I said. But I couldn’t help but wonder how he’d feel about being so far from his sister and Gemma.
He nodded. “I’d move to the city for you, Mags, if I had to. But being outside of it would be easier for me. I think I could be at peace there, the way I wouldn’t be in the city.”
“But you’re building your business here,” I said. “What would happen to it?”
He gave a careless shrug. “Doesn’t matter. I could grow mushrooms in the place I move to, or I could find something else to do.”
I stared at him in wonder, my heart full. He was willing to give up his business and move away from his family to make things work. He was so selfless and caring, I could only try to be worthy of him.
“How would you feel if I stayed in Green Valley?” I asked, squeezing his hand.
His lips parted. He stared at me speechlessly for a moment, then he swallowed. “If you...what?”
He was so surprised, I couldn’t help but grin. “Tell you the truth, this place has grown on me.” I gave a shrug. “I really like the friends I’ve made here. I’m getting to like bluegrass, and beards. Maybe even cowboy boots.”
“What about flannel?”
“Let’s not push it. There are lines I won’t cross.”
His grin was wide. I loved seeing him so happy. He looked even more gorgeous with such a wide smile, and the light shining from his eyes made my chest feel warm and light.
“Are you certain?” he asked.
“It turns out that I’m in love with you, too,” I admitted. “So yes, I’m certain. When Noah and Carla return, I’ll start looking for a place to rent.”
“Move in with me.” He didn’t hesitate, and I gave him a relieved smile.
“Honestly, I was hoping you’d say that. Zeppelin too?”
“Of course!” He looked so pleased with the idea, I wanted to move in right away. If it wasn’t for Freud and the chickens, I probably would.
“I thought I’d either stay working at the bakery, or start looking at other options,” I said.
“A fashion store?”
“I’m not sure yet. Maybe I could open my own store. New York style turns a bit country. What do you think?”
He put his other hand over mine. “I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
“City style turning country is the best thing you’ve ever heard?”
“I was talking about you being in love with me. And the mix of city and country. Seems like those two things must have been made for each other, they go together so well.”
“So do you want some dessert?” I asked. “Or would you rather go and celebrate my brilliant idea?”
He leaned across the table to kiss me. “Let’s go home,” he whispered against my lips. “So we can combine city with country, and I can show you how much I love you.”